Today’s post explores CAD files and the companies and firms that adopt popular CAD file formats. Before the rise of CAD, paper and pencil were the only combination designers had access to. 3D designs and prototypes were all carried out manually. The result was the slow development of designs and the tedious prototype creation process. Without a doubt, the entire manual process required expensive trials and errors.
But with the introduction of CAD technologies, the entire design, development, and prototyping process has become easier, faster, and cheaper. As a result, it’s simple to address design concerns and can be done so throughout the design process itself. Instead of the usual drawing, CAD files have become the ultimate weapon for 3D designers to bring their CAD designs to life.
Table of contents
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What are CAD files?
Computer-aided design or CAD files are the outputs of CAD software that contain information about the designed objects. These files might be made up of 3D or 2D data and are commonly used by designers, manufacturers, digital artists, engineers, and scientists. The format is the defining characteristic of CAD files. There are kernel, native, and neutral CAD file formats. Neutral file formats were elaborated as readable according to industry standards by most CAD modeling platforms.
These formats have publicly available specifications and are maintained by consortiums or companies. Meanwhile, major CAD vendors produce native formats. Third-party CAD tools conversion is necessary to import these files. Finally, kernel formats are derived from renowned geometric modeling kernels. CAD modeling kernels are components of modeling software. That defines how a shape is mathematically described by it. Kernel formats are recommended for software built on top of the kernel that corresponds to it. Here are some of the industries and companies adopting popular CAD file formats:
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Interior design
CAD files allow 3D interior design firms to breathe life into their visions through detailed and intricate digital designs. It allows them to present designs to their clients, from every detail to the smallest ones. They can also showcase the final look of the project upon completion.
Architecture
Buildings are massive and costly projects. Flawless planning is critical when developing something as expensive and huge as a building. It is another case where CAD files come in handy. In addition to the actual layout and architecture of a structure, the CAD files can also be used to identify the correct specifications, such as weights, volumes, and measurements, even before the start of the actual construction.
2D drawings and floor plan services can be used in the field once the construction starts. Meanwhile, the 3D architectural visualizations are used to gauge the accuracy of 2D plans and help backers envision the completed project to increase the chances of them funding it. It is especially true for office buildings as well as other commercial structures. However, home designers and builders also increasingly use CAD files and 3D visualizations these days.
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Landscaping
Landscaping companies also use CAD files to conceptualize their outdoor creations and identify the correct placement and location of different landscaping elements such as gardens, patios, fences, trees, and more. Companies can employ 3D landscape rendering designers to visualize their designs.
Automotive
Sophisticated CAD software and files are also used in different aspects and areas of automotive design. CAD companies for the automotive industry are used to produce 3D prototypes of new styles of car bodies and to design car parts such as engines, tires, upholstery, circuitry boards, and others. Data from CAD files can be fed into CNC machines that cut steel and robots that help construct vehicles on assembly lines.
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Medical
CAD files are also used by prosthetic design and CAD services for medical applications for prosthetics construction or reconstruction of different body parts. Some of these are even printed out using specialized medical 3D printers. Traditionally, CAD has been used to help engineer designs and models for analysis, representation, and manufacturing. The advancements in biomedicine and information technology have paved the way for new CAD uses and applications with many essential and novel biomedical applications.
The CAD files are used for tissue engineering, where the CAD-based bio-tissue informatics model offers crucial data on tissue biophysical, biochemical, and biological properties for the design, fabrication, and modeling of complex substitutes for tissues.
Civil Engineering
Today’s urban planners also use CAD files to plan infrastructures in urban areas, including bridges, office complexes, industrial units, parks, and more. It is another aspect where 3D CAD is used most of the time. The urban planning process requires taxpayer dollars and funding. Many people find it hard to envision the appearance of a playground or park based on a 2D drawing alone. It’s even more difficult for them to visualize what a massive professional stadium will look like upon completion. This is where civil engineering professionals can help. If the planners hope for financial support and backing for a taxpayer referendum, CAD files are the best approach.
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Fashion Design
Even though most of today’s reputable fashion designers choose to craft their designs for their unique creations by hand at first, fashion CAD files are often used in the latter phases of the design process. CAD files are also almost always used by industries specializing in ready-to-wear garments. The files are used to identify the most efficient fabric cuts and to change the pattern scale for various sizes.
With the help of virtual models, the files can also be used to present how the item fits and moves when worn. 3D cad fashion design professionals can make the necessary changes to the design afterward. During the manufacturing stage, the cloths can then be cut, typically in large layers, with the help of CNC machines to speed up the whole process.
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Dentistry
Did you get a tooth crown in the past decade? If yes, then chances are your dentist took advantage of technological advancements in CAD technologies. For 30 years, CAD files have been used in dentistry to digitize dental structures and oral cavities for virtual designs of complex and simple prosthetic units. However, the only difference is that this time, thanks to the rise of dental 3D printers and special dental materials, the structure is made right in the dentist’s office while you wait instead of being sent out to a laboratory first for construction. Dental CAD printing and design technologies can offer unmatched anatomical accuracy even while you wait.
Forensics
Just like how your well-loved CSI show uses CAD technologies to solve their cases, their counterparts in the real world do so as well. The role of 3D CAD design and 2D drafting services in forensic sciences is to help estimate a person’s age, analyze the injuries incurred, and identify the victim postmortem. Most of the time, postmortem identification involves comparing dental records in the form of models and radiographs of a person before death or ante mortem to that of postmortem or after death.
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On the other hand, injury analysis may involve comparing bone contusions or fragments to the types of known injuries or weapons. Forensic sciences can also use CAD files to help in 3D reconstruction of the investigation of crime scenes.
Law
3D CAD reconstructions of crime scenes and accidents that resemble those used in forensics can be used even in courtrooms to assist the jurors in visualizing the events put on trial.
Mapping
As a form of CAD, computer-aided mapping is especially related to cartography and mapping. This is typically used by GIS mapping experts to generate utility, parcel, and street maps that can be used with GIS or on their own. Even though GIS and CAD are similar to each other, the two have some notable distinctions. Most importantly, CAD is designed to edit and create graphic entities. In general, CAD also has minimal database capacities, but this might not ring true in the case of 3D CAD.
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On the other hand, GIS is the spatial database where graphics are used to display the analytical results, wherein graphic editing is the secondary ability. It is essential to note that several CAD programs come with GIS functionality as an add-on to their core functions in graphic editing.
Aerospace
The aerospace field is undoubtedly one of the most high-tech modern industries that use CAD files. The aerospace industry includes aircraft, missiles, satellites, and space vehicle manufacturers. Since these products come with colossal price tags, with a single aerospace item easily costing several million dollars, aerospace engineering services and CAD files play a crucial role in the design process.
Before the construction of the actual product, every single detail is planned and virtualized as thoroughly as possible with the help of sophisticated CAD design software. Advancements in computing technologies have undoubtedly paved the way for the continuous rise of CAD files in applications beyond the scope of conventional AEC design.
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How Cad Crowd can help
Get in touch with Cad Crowd today and tap into the massive pool of CAD design professionals specializing in CAD files that can be used in various industries and by different companies. Contact us for a free quote.
